Movie Reviews

"OK, we all miss John Ritter. It's really strange to turn on the TV and not find him on somewhere, except in reruns of "Three's Company."

The release of this TV series on DVD is exciting news for John Ritter fans. For those unfamiliar with it, "Hearts Afire" was his 1992-1995 sitcom co-starring Markie Post. John is a senator's aide in Washington, D.C. who is surrounded by funny characters and funny situations. The dialogue is sophisticated and snappy, the chemistry between Ritter and Post is hot, and the supporting players (paticularly the hilarious Conchata Ferrell) couldn't have been better cast.

"Hearts Afire" is notable today because it co-starred a then-unknown actor named Billy Bob Thornton. It should be no surprise that Billy Bob scored many of the show's funniest lines. He stole nearly every scene he was in. It was on this series that Ritter met Billy Bob and the writer/director hired the king of pratfalls against type for what would become one of his most famous roles, the gay man in "Sling Blade."

If you know this show, you'll be buying this set. If you are unfamiliar with it, rent it. You'll fall in love with it and return here to buy it.

Now let's hope other Ritter series and TV movies will also show up on DVD -- with "Hooperman" leading the list."

The Funniest yet Tragic season of Hearts Afire

Jeremy F. Kennedy | Atlanta, GA USA | 08/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"By the time Linda-Bloodworth Thomason rolled out season 3 of CBS' Hearts Afire, the sarcastic yet enormously funny serieshad been shuffled all over prime-time slots (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays...then repeat..) as viewers became confused of its air-time which led to an unfortunate uninterest in the series until CBS finally chose to ax it in February '95. Although the series wasn't given the going-away party that it deserved, it has suddenly appeared in a respectful DVD package worthy of a retro resurrection of sorts that any fan of the show must be ecstatic! 1st Season viewers may be shocked to see cast changes that ousted Senator Schmithers, innocent yet ridiculously dumb Dee Dee, and Mavis, Billy Bob's liberal and challenging wife. Set in the small town of Somewhere, KY, Bloodworth-Thomason brought her left-wing political scripts from Washington to Mayberry. However, unlike Season 1 where politics dominated episode after episode, Seasons 2 and especially 3 became more sitcom-silly and soon became undeniably the funniest comedy that no one was watching. Leslie Jordan's character Lonnie Garr and office-space therapist Madeline (played by funny lady Cochatta Ferrell) were carefully chosen for Season 2 and continued to ride on the hilarious and successful formula that exposed the viewer to life at the Daily Beacon week after week. From the major characters to the minor, the casting for this series was flawless. John Hartman's son Elliot (Clark Duke), who has been underrated throughout every review of this series, shared the spotlight once more with Carson Lee (Billy Bob's daughter) and brother Ben. Ritter, Post, and Thornton also returned and created three of CBS' most beloved characters. With so much talent under their belts, it is amazing that this show wasn't the pre-Raymond or an Emmy nominee. The combination of personalities (John's conservative yet quick-on-the-draw remarks, for example) with each situation (from the Beacon's first group therapy meeting to the delivery of the Harman baby Emilia) is absolutely priceless. Shows come and go; I suppose this one did too. However, if you must own any of the seasons of Hearts Afire, and full-blown laugh out loud comedy is what you're seeking, seasons 2 or 3 are it. For any fan of smart-comedy including Designing Women (another Bloodworth-Thomason classic), this series is highly recommended!"

Fun!

M. Ray | 02/10/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was never a Ritter fan--until this series! For lighthearted comedy and romance, this is the ticket for lots of fun..."